I'd say this kid stands a better chance of being a pro bodybuilder if he STAYS NATURAL, rather than if he becomes just another juice monkey.
Let me explain my reasoning...
Cheap, reliable, fool-proof, efficient and fast blood doping testing is on the way, sooner rather than later (5 to 10 years). Once that happens expect the Olympics to go natural, for real (no more world records)... followed pretty quickly by most amateur sporting bodies (bodybuilding included) who get tax cuts they can't afford to lose by being designated as such. Then HMO's and employers begin demanding testing of every burly person they can find "for insurance purposes". Imagine your dentist demanding that you prove you're not on steroids before he'll drill your tooth because his insurance won't cover persons taking (illicit) drugs that interact negatively with anaesthetic.
Now consider whether non-drug tested contests would still be allowed (in a legal sense) once the public at large gets a whiff of the epidemic of steroid use in (all) sports and how long it's been going on. Bodybuilding contests being outlawed isn't completely out of the question, think "Tonight on 60 minutes... my 12 year-old son died from steroids" followed by some media scare mongering along the lines of "Won't somebody please think of the children!"
The political tide is already begining to turn as a result of the recent revelations in baseball. I'd hazard a guess that serious legislation is on the way.... perhaps along the lines of government subsidised (or free) steroid testing done in government labs for Natural sporting bodies.
If the public begins to associate any amount of muscle with cheating, poor sportsmanship and steroids, we may find that only proven natural athletes attract sponsorship dollars. Or even that sponsors themselves demand (now cheap) rigorous drug testing of the athletes they sponsor, maybe even for the contestants of shows they sponsor.
So, when people discuss who might be the next Mr O after Ronnie retires.... maybe we should be considering Derik Farnsworth?
Doesn't Farnsworth already have a (relatively) large sponsorship deal with Stallone's InStone product line?
Which other 3rd tier, last in every contest pro* in the IFBB earns anything equivalent??
So, my advice to Bodybuilding365 would be to stay natural... read up on the training protocals of current top naturals (Farnsworth, Whittset, La Cour, Hansen) and everything written by Arthur Jones, Ellington Darden and Mike Mentzer... it'll be a lot easier than trying to gain 200 lbs of muscle trying to beat Ronnie, and greatly improves your chances of earning enough money from bodybuilding to make it your profession.
Personally I'd rather fall short of being Mike Mentzer and end up looking like a smooth Frank Zane (as most naturals do), than fall short of Ronnie Coleman and end up looking like King Kamali (as most juicers do).
The Luke
*...please note: this comment is meant as a statement of fact and is not intended in any way to denigrate either Derik Farnsworth or his physique. As a lifetime natural myself I have nothing but the utmost respect for Derik and what he has achieved while holding fast to his principles. If you're reading this Derik, please come on over to the Natural Bodybuilding board... we'd be thrilled to have you.
